Office of Vital Records

The Office of Vital Records (OVR) is charged with the responsibility of maintaining a uniform system for registration and a permanent central registry with a comprehensive and continuous index for all birth, death, fetal death, marriage and dissolution certificates registered for vital events which occur in California (1+ million events annually).

OVR Goals:

Establish a permanent public record for each birth, death, fetal death, marriage and dissolution occurring in the State of California.

Automate the collection and transmission of vital record data originating at the local level.

Provide timely and accurate information to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Provide health related statistical data, through the Office of Health Information and Research, to organizations, researchers, and governmental agencies.

Assist the local jurisdictions (counties) in automating their vital event processing.

Provide guidance and policy for the local jurisdictions in the registration of vital events.